Short-term evaluation of an intra-articular technique for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs using nylon or polyester

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCrLR) is a common condition found in the small animal routine, being correlated to traumas, obesity, genetic factors, and primary osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. Affected animals show articular instability that, if not corrected surgically, may cause secondary OA and loss of limb function. The aim of this study was to compare short-term results of the intra-articular technique for knee stabilization after CCrLR using a surgical button associated with polyester yarn (Group A), the surgical button associated with nylon yarn (Group B), and surgical toggle associated with polyester yarn (Group C). Eighteen dogs presenting CCrLR, weight varying from 5 to 35 kg, and different sex and breed were divided into three groups of six individuals. OA radiographic grade, pre- and post-operative lameness, surgical time, and the macroscopic aspect of cartilage were assessed. The intra-articular technique was performed by passing a suture through two tunnels, drilled in the femoral condyle and tibial crest to stabilize the knee joint. Twelve animals presented a decreased lameness and normal limb function after 15 days. On the other hand, four dogs from Group B presented complications: two dogs had suture rupture after 30 days and other two showed muscular contracture with decreased range of motion, followed by loss of limb function. In Group A, one dog showed suture rupture after 15 days and other had suture infection after 30 days. In Group C, dogs recovered normal limb function without complications. Therefore, surgical toggle associated with polyester yarn was better than the other studied materials

Cervical Laminectomy for the Treatment of Chronic Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy in a Dog

 Background: Cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM) is a common disease of the cervical spine, and causes neurogenic disorders commonly diagnosed in large and giant breeds dogs. There are many surgical procedures proposed for the treat­ment of CSM. Although many authors report a high success rate (between 70% and 90%) after surgical procedures, the high number of techniques described reflects the difficulty in treating this disorder. The objective of this paper is to report a case of CSM with chronic ventral compression (intervertebral disc extrusion) that was treated with dorsal decompres­sion, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the decompressive technique through pre- and post-operative myelograms.Case: A 9-year-old Doberman Pinscher dog weighing 41.8 kg presented due to a history of tetraparesis. Neurological exami­nation did not reveal any alteration in mental status. There was absence of conscious proprioception on the four limbs; the pelvic limbs were more severely affected. Bilateral patellar hyperreflexia and normal flexor withdrawal reflex were observed on the hind limbs. There was decreased flexor withdrawal reflex and increased extensor tone on the forelimbs. The patient exhibited pain during caudal cervical palpation, and no alterations were seen on the cutaneous trunci reflex. Superficial pain was absent in the hind limbs; forelimbs exhibited presence of motor function with severe paresis. Survey radiographs revealed intervertebral disc space narrowing between C6-C7. A myelogram revealed ventral and dorsal compressions of the spinal cord in the C6-C7 area. Surgical treatment was elected, and laminectomy of the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae was performed. Improvements were progressive on evaluations made on the seventh, eighteenth, forty-fifth, and sixtieth days after surgery. On the forty-fifth day after surgery, the patient was able to walk with the aid of a support sling, but was incapable of standing and walking without help. Muscle atrophy and paresis progressively improved up to the sixtieth day after surgery, but such improvement was not enough for the patient to get up and walk without the aid of the sling. In view of the evolution of the clinical signs during the post-operative period, another myelogram was performed to check if the extruded intervertebral disc, which was not removed during laminectomy, was still causing spinal cord compression. In comparison to the first myelogram, the compression was significantly attenuated by the surgical procedure. In this examination, the contrast medium columns were minimally compromised by the presence of herniated material; because of that, we opted not to perform a second surgical intervention for removal of herniated disc content.Discussion: Cervical laminectomy is indicated primarily for cases of dorsal compression associated with osteoarthritic changes of facet joints, malformation of the dorsal lamina, or ligamentum flavum hypertrophy however, this technique has also been used to treat ventral compressions, especially if they are multiple. There are no reports of direct comparison between laminectomy and other surgical techniques for the treatment of chronic ventral compressions; consequently, the choice of the technique depends on the surgeon’s experience and preference. Some authors argue that cervical laminec­tomy is not enough to attenuate the compression caused by the disc because this technique does not allow removal of the herniated disc material located ventrally. However, in the case reported here, a comparison between pre- and postopera­tive myelograms revealed that even though the herniated material was not removed, dorsal decompression allowed dorsal dislocation of the spinal cord and, consequently, promoted considerable attenuation of ventral compression.Keywords: Wobbler syndrome, nervous system, spinal cord, cervical vertebrae

Limb-Sparing Using Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Dog with Femoral Head Osteosarcoma

Background: Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common primary bone tumor of the appendicular skeleton of dogs. It mainly affects the metaphyseal region of long bones in large and giant breed dogs.The markedly aggressive and metastatic character of the disease leads to an invariably poor to unfavorable prognosis.Although amputation is commonly performed, different surgical techniques may be used to preserve the limb. The most common methods of limb preserving surgeries involve the use of endoprosthesis and allogeneic or autologous grafts. This report describes the successful use of total hip replacement to treat a 3-year-old male dog, with OSA in the femoral head and neck.Case: This report describes the successful use of total hip replacement to treat a 3-year-old male dog, with OSA in the femoral head and neck. The OSA stage IA located in the femoral head and neck was resected and treated through the limb-sparing. The bone defect and joint function was reconstructed with total hip arthroplasty technique using a cementless hip prosthesis. The result of the histopathological analysis of the excised bone tissue showed a minimally productive osteoblastic osteosarcoma. To date, the patient shows satisfactory movement rate and motion range, with no pain to palpation and without lameness in that limb. The radiographic follow-up after 24 months showed no local recurrence, metastasis pulmonary or complications related to the implant. Total hip arthroplasty resulted in safe recovery of orthopedic signs associated with osteosarcoma of the femoral head and neck, effectively acting as a limb preserving surgery after 32 months.Discussion: The limb-sparing procedure is an option to control local tumors that has become more popular among owners that do not accept the amputation of the limb. Similarly, it is a good alternative when another condition may interfere with the other limbs or may require amputation of another limb. The size and the potential for weight gain of the dog in this study could compromise its ambulation later, and it was a factor in the decision for the limb-sparing surgery. The allografts can be used to reconstruct the proximal femur, but they were not considered a viable option for this patient because of the reported complications, including graft fracture, non-union with the host bone and collapse of subchondral bone. The hip region does not allow the realization of arthrodesis because this joint is highly mobile, so the use of prosthetics as described is ideal for the preservation of joint biomechanics. Furthermore, the implant provides rapid postoperative recovery and immediate stability. Mean survival times were not significantly different between the limb-sparing and amputation techniques without adequate chemotherapy. In this case, despite the recommendation, the patient was monitored continuously without the association of adjuvant treatments according to the owner’s choice. The complications related with the use of cortical allograft, endoprosthesis, and pasteurized autograft include infection (31-60%), local recurrence (15-28%) or implant failure (11-40%). The implant luxation is the most common non-traumatic acute complication in the short term after limb-sparing surgery of proximal femur in humans and total hip replacement in dogs. To date, no complications have been observed after the procedure was performed. In conclusion, preservation of limbs in cases of osteosarcoma is favorable depending on the degree of involvement, but it requires specific techniques according to the location, to improve the quality of life and animal survival. In this case, the total hip arthroplasty for initial osteosarcoma in the femoral head and neck got an unexpected result, especially given the nature of osteosarcoma, limitations of wide excision with this approach and lack of adjuvant therapy

Lateral Patellar Luxation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) in a Dog

Background: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a rare genetic disease characterized by a deficiency in collagen synthesis, which can result in joint laxity. Patellar luxation is one of the main orthopedic conditions that affect the canine knee joint, with limited descriptions of its association with EDS in dogs. The purpose of this report is to describe the surgical management and postoperative evolution of a 1-year-old Chow Chow dog with grade II patellar luxation, tibial valgus and EDS.Case: A 1-year-old Chow Chow dog was referred to the University Veterinary Hospital due to lameness of the left pelvic for 3 months. At the orthopedic examination were verified severe lameness and lateral deviation of the left stifle joint during the ambulation of the animal. Additionally, it was verified bilateral hyperextension of the tibiotarsal joint and grade II patellar luxation of both pelvic limbs with painful hyperextension of the left stifle joint. Radiographic evaluation showed lateral displacement of the patella from both femoral trochlear groove, and a valgus deviation of the proximal left tibial shaft. In addition, it was verified cutaneous hyperextensibility and an extensibility index suggestive of EDS. The animal was submitted to trochlear block resection technique and medial imbrication, followed by corrective tibial osteotomy. Furthermore, skin biopsies of the scapular and lumbar folds were performed during the corrective tibial osteotomy. The samples were sent for histopathological examination, which revealed fragmented and unorganized collagen fibers in the dermis. Histopathological findings were compatible with EDS. The absence of lameness and correct positioning of the patella in the trochlear sulcus were verified in the post-surgical follow-up. Complete bone consolidation of the closing wedge osteotomy to correct the tibial valgus was verified at 90 days postoperatively.Discussion: The clinical signs, cutaneous extensibility index, and histopathological abnormalities in the present case were consistent with EDS. In the present study, this congenital collagen abnormality syndrome may have been a contributing factor of patellar luxation as EDS can result in hypermobility of ligaments and joints, due to metabolic and structural abnormalities of the collagen in connective tissues, and consequently may promote patellar luxation and other orthopedic abnormalities. A variant of EDS in humans has been implicated in the development of skeletal abnormalities such as short stature and bone deformities. This corroborates the possibility that EDS is correlated with valgus angulation of the proximal portion of the tibia in the present case. However, in-depth genetic studies are required to confirm this correlation. Corrective osteotomy in conjunction with block recession sulcoplasty and medial imbrication seem to have enabled patellofemoral stability and alignment of the quadriceps mechanism, ensuring that the patella remained in the trochlear sulcus, even in the presence of EDS. In addition, this syndrome does not seem to affect the surgical outcome of the treatment of patellar luxation associated with closed wedge osteotomy for tibial valgus correction. Medium-term follow-up can be considered excellent in this case report since there was a rapid resolution of lameness and adequate corrective osteotomy healing despite persistent hyperextension of the tibiotarsal joint. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome did not contraindicate the surgical treatment of patellar luxation. However, further studies are needed to assess the influence of the syndrome on long-term patellar luxation. The findings of this case report can help in the diagnosis and treatment of other animals affected by this rare syndrome and associated orthopedic diseases.Keywords: patellar luxation, bone, collagen diseases

Utilização do sistema modular na prótese total da articulação coxofemoral em cães

A prótese total da articulação coxofemoral consiste na substituição completa da articulação por componentes protéticos acetabular e femoral. Esse procedimento representa uma das técnicas mais eficientes para o tratamento cirúrgico da displasia coxofemoral severa em cães. No presente relato foi experimentalmente aplicada uma prótese total da articulação coxofemoral de fabricação nacional em dois cães. Foi utilizada uma prótese com o sistema modular, ou seja, componente femoral provido de um sistema de cambiamento da cabeça femoral, com o objetivo de estabelecer a sua aplicabilidade, vantagens e avaliar a evolução pós-operatória.  A prótese total modular da articulação coxofemoral foi aplicada em dois animais, da espécie canina ( Canis familiaris), sadios, sem raça definida, e sem alterações ao aparelho locomotor. O procedimento foi realizado sem complicações e o resultado foi satisfatório em a mbos os animais. A prótese total da articulação coxofemoral utilizando o sistema modular pode ser aplicada com sucesso em cães, desde que se tenha conhecimento prévio da técnica de aplicação, treinamento, e material específico. A principal vantagem da aplicação do sistema modular é a flexibilidade fornecida por este sistema, o qual permite escolher entre diferentes tamanhos de cabeça e comprimentos do colo femoral

Association of Rush Pin and Intramedular Pin Techniques for the Stabilization of Salter Harris Type I Fracture in Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Background: In domestic rabbits, fractures are usually the result of household accidents. Fractures of the distal femoral physis are frequently observed in animals with immature skeletons and may cause future orthopedic problems. With this type of fracture, early reduction and stabilization are necessary to prevent additional damage to the physis and to preserve the growth potential of the bone. This report aims to describe the clinical and radiographic findings, as well as the surgical method used that combined Rush pins with an intramedullary pin, associated with a Salter Harris type I fracture of the right distal femur in a rabbit.Case: A 4-month male domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) weighing 1.2 kg, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital with a right pelvic limb lameness after an episode of trauma. Orthopedic examination revealed swelling, instability, crepitation, and increased pain sensitivity in the distal aspect of the right femur. Following physical and radiographic examination,a Salter Harris type I fracture of the right distal femur was diagnosed. The patient was premedicated with a combination of xylazine (2 mg/kg IM) and ketamine (10 mg/kg IM), which allowed placement of an IV catheter for the administration of fluids and intubation using an endotracheal tube with an internal diameter of 2 mm. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, and an epidural was performed with a combination of lidocaine (2 mg/kg) and bupivacaine (0.75 mg/kg). Osteosynthesis was performed with two Rush pins and an intramedullary pin. Radiographic examination 110 and 330 days after the surgical procedure showed good alignment of the bone and adequate healing of the fracture. The combination of techniques used in this case report proved to be effective, resulting in functional recovery of the limb and rapid bone healing.Discussion: Preoperative planning for orthopedic surgery in rabbits is different from that of dogs and cats, due to the particularities of the species. Familiarity with the regional anatomy, patient preparation, and appropriate instrumentation are necessary when contemplating osteosynthesis in a rabbit. Salter Harris fractures affect young animals, where the physis is considered an area of fragility in the bone. Surgical planning should take into account the function of the growth plates.It is recommended that implants passing through the physis do so perpendicularly, since angulation greater than 45° may predispose the bone to premature closure of the growth plate. Another important consideration involves the choice of implants, since the use of trocar-tipped pins facilitates their precise placement in the bone. The use of threaded pins should be avoided due to their weakness at the thread-shaft interface, and the risk of impaired longitudinal bone growth and thedifficulty of removal if necessary. Steinman pins and Kirschner wires can be used to stabilize a variety of different fractures. In Salter-Harris type I and II fractures, the use of pins neutralizes bending forces but not rotational or compressive forces. In contrast, Rush pinning and cross-pinning techniques are effective in neutralizing the forces acting on the physis, and are frequently used for the fixation of fractures in this region. Complications, often associated with poor reduction and alignment, can result in varus or valgus deviation and are associated with a high risk of implant failure or migration, malunion, and patellar luxation. It was concluded that the combination of Rush pins and an intramedullary pin resulted in adequate stabilization of the Salter Harris type I fracture of the distal femur in this rabbit.Keywords: Orthopedic implants, osteosynthesis, trauma, bone repairing, lagomorph

Comparison of Intraoperative Nociception and Postoperative Acute Pain After Traditional or Minimally Invasive Ovariohysterectomy in Dogs

Background: Many variations of ovariohysterectomy techniques have been described, including the traditional one and minimally invasive procedures. Non-laparoscopic Snook hook technique is an alternative for performing minimally invasive ovariohysterectomy. Few studies have been carried out in order to assess pain in animals submitted to minimally invasive surgeries, especially involving one of the most performed surgical procedures in veterinary practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate surgical duration, intraoperative nociception and acute postoperative pain after traditional ovariohysterectomy or minimally invasive non-laparoscopic technique in dogs using Snook hook. The hypothesis is that non-laparoscopic minimally invasive ovariohysterectomy would be faster and less painful than the conventional technique.Material, Methods & Results: Thirty dogs were divided into Traditional Group (TG = 15) and Minimally Invasive Group (MIG = 15). Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, body temperature, oxyhemoglobin saturation, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration (ETCO2) and end-tidal isoflurane concentration were evaluated before the surgery to start (M0), during incision (M1), clamping of the first ovarian pedicle (M2), second ovarian pedicle (M3), uterine cervix (M4), abdominal suture (M5) and at the end of surgery (M6). The modified Glasgow Pain Scale was used for acute postoperative pain assessment and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess the sensitivity of surgical wound. The level of significance established for all statistical analyzes was 5%. Statistical differences were not observed between groups considering total surgical time and postoperative acute pain intensity (P > 0.05), in spite of MIG having shorter duration of surgery. There was no statistical difference between groups considering all intraoperative parameters except respiratory rate (TG < MIG; P < 0.05) and ETCO2 (MIG < TG; P < 0.05) at the moment of traction of the first ovarian pedicle (M2). Pain assessment by VAS showed statistical difference 24h after the end of surgery (TG < MIG) (P < 0.05). Discussion: Both procedures were similar regarding intraoperative nociception and acute postoperative pain. It is possible that the sensation of pain in both procedures was blocked by the effectiveness of analgesics, once they might cause an inhibition of painful behaviors limiting a possible difference in pain identification. Higher respiratory stress observed in MIG at M2 and higher pain score by VAS noted in MIG 24 h after the end of surgery can be justified by greater traction of ovarian pedicle, due to limited surgical access of minimally invasive technique. Minimally invasive ovariohysterectomy non-laparoscopic seems to be potentially faster, probably due to the smaller size of the abdominal incision, which takes less time to be closed. In the present study, both techniques were performed by an experienced surgeon, providing safe procedures, nevertheless it is important to emphasize that iatrogenic injury can be caused by surgeons not proficient in the Snook hook technique, considering the limited visualization of anatomical abdominal structures. Data obtained indicate that traditional ovariohysterectomy and non-laparoscopic Snook hook technique promote similar intraoperative nociception and acute postoperative pain, however minimally invasive procedure is potentially faster and with less surgical trauma

Use of Autogenous Fascia Lata Graft in the Treatment of Chronic Segmental Defect of the Common Calcaneus Tendon in Domestic Feline

Background: The common calcaneus tendon is formed by the common tendon of the femoral biceps muscle, tendon of the superficial digital flexor muscle and gastrocnemius muscle tendon, and its rupture is related to acute traumas in small animals. Among some applications described, surgical repair can be adopted in the correction of tendon ruptures and theuse of grafts may be indicated in some severe lesions, where it is not possible to perform tenorrhaphy. This study aims to report the case of a feline with rupture of the common calcaneus tendon in which the tenorrafia associated with the autogenous fascia lata graft was performed as adjuvant to the cicatrization of the same.Case: A 24-month-old, undefined male feline with approximately 3 kg was treated at the FCAV Veterinary Hospital, UNESP Jaboticabal, State of São Paulo, Brazil, with a history of falling, for approximately two weeks, and has since plantigrade posture. Upon physical examination, it was possible to identify a discontinuity of the common calcaneus tendon. The radiographs were performed, which did not show any bone changes. A hemogram and biochemical profile were performed, which were within normal limits. The patient underwent surgery, and a complete lesion of the common calcaneus tendon was identified, with a chronic aspect. Approximation of the stumps was impossible, so a flap of fascia lata, about two centimeters long and one centimeter wide, was removed, which was used as a bed and tendon support for tendon growth. After removal all of the present fibrosis, the tendon stumps were approximated by means of modified Kessler suture with mononylon thread, and fascia lata flap of the ipsilateral limb was sutured with separate single points in both tendon endsand in their lateral and medial portion. In the tibiotarsic joint, the external skeletal fixator type II was used for immobilization, during a period of 30 days. In the immediate postoperative period the patient was already able to support the member on the floor, with progressive improvement, and after 60 days of surgery the animal presented complete support of thelimb, without pain or any other alteration coming from the surgery. The animal presented a rapid recovery after surgical treatment with the autogenous fascia lata flap.Discussion: The rupture of the common calcaneus tendon is not commonly reported in felines and its occurrence is related to acute trauma, where the animals will present lameness and plantigrade posture. Depending on the degree of tendon involvement, there are different procedures that may be indicated, such as tenorrhaphy, reimplantation for avulsion cases, and transplantation with grafts when there is segment loss. In the present study, the use of tenorrhaphy associated with the implantation of autogenous lata-fascia graft was chosen, since the grafts generally provide the framework for healing due to its replacement by collagen tissue in the recipient, in addition to providing mechanical protection initially. Fascia lata, due to its antigenic character as being autogenous, has been shown to be a viable and easily obtained surgical option. The use of the fascia lata graft associated with external immobilization with external fixator type II in the tibiotarsal joint allowed an excellent result and is therefore a recommended treatment for cases of rupture of the common calcaneus tendon in felines.Keywords: cats, lameness, plantigrade stance

Determinación de la DL50 del veneno de serpientes adultas de la especie Bothrops atrox en ratones albinos

El presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de calcular la dosis letal media (DL50) del veneno de serpientes adultas de laespecie Bothropsatroxsobre ratones de laboratorio. El trabajo fue desarrollado en el serpentariode la Universidad de la Amazonia de Florencia, Caquetá, Colombia. El veneno de las serpientes fue inoculando por víaintraperitoneal a un total de 144 ratones albinos de la especie mus musculus con un peso medio de 18g, mediante tres ensayosque constituyeron una prueba gruesa, una fina y una superfina, usando dosis de veneno desde 20 hasta 80 ìg por ratón. Elperiodo de observación se realizó durante los primeros quince minutos y 48 horas siguientes a la aplicación. Fue utilizada laregresión de la transformación Probit para estimar la DL50 y también el test de Chi-Cuadrado para determinar diferencias entrevalores observados y estimados por el modelo. Para el test de Chi-Cuadrado de las pruebas gruesa y fina fueron encontradasdiferencias estadísticas significativas (